Curbside Retail Opens In Santa Clara County

Non-essential businesses in Santa Clara County are now able to open for curbside sales, the last county in the Bay Area to enter phase two of reopening.

Resident and merchants are excited to see some stores opening but realize it is no panacea to the economic strain of the virus. Curbside sales in other counties have been pretty mediocre.

Santa Clara County was slower to relax restrictions despite coordinating shelter in place restrictions with other Bay Area counties, because the county has been the hardest hit in the region. As of Wednesday morning the county reported 138 deaths as of Wednesday and 2,500 cases.

And officials say that even though some restrictions are being lifted, it is still important to stay vigilant.

“(We are) asking everyone in our community to do these three things. One, wear a face covering when in public and when in any business. Two, continue to practice social distancing and remember six feet is a minimum. That’s a minimum and more is always better. And three, get tested,” says county health officer Dr. Sara Cody. “Our collective efforts have significantly reduced the spread in our county and we now have a little bit of headroom to cautiously take another step forward”

The new opening also includes manufacturing and logistics operations. Public gardens, outdoor museums and historical sites are also opening with some restrictions. And after a temporary ban, the popular trend of drive-through celebrations are now allowed once again, but local police are reminding participants to stay in their cars.